Paula Benge is the award-winning author of a contemporary young adult novel and a romantic fantasy novella.

Paula, like other authors, began as a reader who never admitted out loud that she wanted to write. Instead, when her kids were teenagers, she became a personal trainer, passionate about functional fitness. It wasn’t until she was faced with an empty nest that she joined a writing club and started writing. She spent the first years learning the craft, participating in a critique group, and going to writing conferences. Between watching college softball and working, she eventually finished her first novel, At the Heart of the Game, a coming-of-age YA story that won first place in the 2016 Oklahoma Writers’ Federation Inc. contest.

Her first published work, A Neapolitan Fairy Tale at Lake Okoboji, was in response to a Wild Rose Press submission invitation for novellas set in ice cream parlors around the world. She didn’t think about anyone reading it, just had fun with her irrepressible fairies and one of her favorite places, Lake Okoboji. That led to a wonderful relationship with the Wild Rose Press community.

She continues to write, along with judging writing contests, and helping coordinate writing workshops. Paula lives in Oklahoma with her husband and truly intends to run.

Whether you like to read and want to discuss books or you’re a writer and want to discuss craft, catch up with Paula on social media! She’d love to chat.